BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11650, 11 May 1901, Page 6 (Supplement)

BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

Macmitxan's Magazine : Maemillan and Co., London. —The April number opens with an article on " Literature and Democracy." Stephen Gwynn writes on "The Secret of Ireland." The writer says : "We begin to realise vaguely why Catholic Ireland is so bard to understand, and we can guess that the priests inherit a knowledge of its secret. They read instinctively the heart of a country that has never grown up. of a neople that is still in tutelage. What will be their place and part in an Ireland that has achieved a really national life, that has ceased to believe in a millennium brought about by legislative enactment, must yet be seen. But for the present they, if any class, are the keepers of the secret of Ireland." George Bizet discourses on "The Census Schedule " and the mighty lessons to be derived from it. Ernest Dawson, of Lumsden's Horse, has an article " In the Advance : or a Day with the Mounted Infantry," which is typical of life in the Held. "The Man in the Ranks," is described by "One Who has Served." He points out the reasons which prevent a better class of men joining the army. There are some readable articles on other subjects, and "The Sinner and the Problem" is still running.

The Cknti-ry Illustrated Monthly Magazine: Macmillan and Co.. London.— This popular magazine opens in its April number with " Dolce." by .John Luther Long. Augustine Birrell has a descriptive article. " Down the Rhine : Koblenz to Rotterdam." "The Transoortation of Iron," by Waldon Fawcett. is a description of the methods used on the great American Lakes. Mary Guv Humphreys describes "Trades Unions in "Japan." They have their secret signs and passwords. ' Lida Reed gives "A Woman's Experiences during the Siege of Vicksburg." '" The Run," by H. M'. Steele, is a graphic description of the Oklahoma land scramble. There are a number of excellent serial stories in the number.

St. Nicholas' Magazine: Macmillan and Co.. London.The April number is full of serial stories, containing scenes of adventure and of hair-breath escapes. The literature is varied, and calculated to interest and amuse the young people. A special feature is the wholesome and refined character of the tales. One of the most interesting stories is one of the series of " Careers of Dangers and Daring." Gustave Kobbe writes of " Life-Savers, Old and Young."'

Review of Reviews : Printed by T. Shaw Fitchett. Queen-street, Melbourne. —The April number contains a very interesting paper on the "Greeting from Man) Lands " to the Commonwealth of Australia.. Among those i-iven are greeting* from Sir H. Camp-bell-Bannrrman, W. J. Bryan, the America!) statesman, Lord Dufferin, Mr. Goschen, Lord Charles Beresford, the Earl of Kimberlev, F. C. Burnand, Blowitz (Times' Paris correspondent). Lord Ranfurly. Lady Henry Somerset, and a long array of other notabilities. The character sketch is by W. 'J'. Stead, on " Queen Alexandra I." He also contributes an article, under " The Topic of the Month." " A Great Queen's Memorial: What Might be Done."

Tns Windsor Magazine : Word, Lock, and Co., London.— Marie E. Belloc. in the April number of the above magazine, describes " Queen Victoria's Visits to Foreign Countries." There is an interesting article on " Child Life in Brittany." A. Edmund Spender has an article on " Ski-running in Norway." a species of skating. Fred. W. Crowe deals with "Freemasonry" and the various works of benevolence in which it engages. He says that during the South African War the brotherhood has been recognised by both Boers and Englishmen. There is an interesting paper on "How London Gets Her Eilectrio Light." There are a number of amusing serial stories in this number. .

Cham iters' Jottknai, : W. and R. Chambers. Edinburgh.The April number is to hand. A serial story, "Sybil's Sin." is still running, as also "The Lover Fugitives." " Studies in Millionaires," by Jas. Burnley, is an instructive story. The writer states that "the glory and grandeur of Sardanapalus. the magnificence of the Roman emperors, the dazzling splendour of the Pharai.utis. of Cleopatra, of Darius, of Alexander, were evidence of material resources far exceeding those of Creosus. Yet the actual bequeathable wealth of even the Roman emperors, with all their powers of absorption by conquest, taxation, confiscation, the exaction of tribute, and what not, did not represent, probably, half as much positive ownership a-s the wealth of many a millionaire of to-day, who possesses neither title nor dignity beyond that which his self-made position confers upon him." He points out how they are a menace to the welfare of the State, and how, as in the case of Jay Gould and his notorious partner, Jim Fiske. jun., '' corners" are made in the markets which yield them millions, and make thousands of their fellow-citizens bankrupts. A Transvaal refugee, shows how " Leniency Failed in South Africa." The writer gives a terrible picture of the vaccillation of the British authorities, and says that " the. fact remains that the Boer has yet to be suppressed in the field, and also the seditious Afrikander Bond in the town and the country." " Homes for Castaways in the South Seas" is a description by Dr. Lavertine, of H.H.s. Ringdove, of the provision depots at the Snares. Auckland, Campbell, Macquarie. Antipodes, and Bounty Islands. The other article's are of an interesting character.

Out With Garibaldi : By A. G. Henty. Blackie and Son (Limited). London.— of the most romantic episodes in history is the liberation of Italy by Garibaldi, who. with only a few thousand followers, invaded Sicily, and with a force of ill-armed irregulars." who flocked to his standard as he advanced, defeated an army of a hundred thousand men. Mr. Henty makes this the groundwork of an exciting tale of adventure. The hero, Pevcival, is an English lad. whose father and grandfather have been secretly imprisoned by the Neapolitan Government. Tie rallies to Garibaldi a large sum of money to help the expedition, which he joins as a lieutenant on the general's staff, and takes a prominent part in the extraordinary series of operations that ended in the fall of the Neapolitan kingdom. Finally, he succeeds in rescuing his relatives from Neapolitan prisons, and returns to England .-■?*■ the fall of the capital.

In* the King's Si:rvice : By Captain F. S. Brereton. R.A.M.C. Blackie and Son. (Limitide). London.—Dick Granville, the hero, is the son of a Royalist, who is driven from home in Cheshire and takes refuge with his brother-in-law at Castle Driscoe, Ireland. When the Parliamentary army crosses to Ireland young Dick Granville and his cousin Terence join a body of Royalist Horse. They take part in the defence of Drogheda. only escaping from the slaughter by a miracle, and afterwards undergoing a series of thrilling adventures. Acting on Dicks suggestions, the little party in Briscoe Castle completely nonplus a large bodv of Ironsides, who attack them, and even when Cromwell himself undertakes the siege tax his power to the utmost before they surrender.

Joxks tuf. MrsTKßiotrs: I3v Chas. Edwards. Blackie and Son (Limited), London. —This is a humorous story of school life, with mi exciting element of mystery. The hero is brought to England from India by Nana Sing, his Hindoo bearer,'' who endows iiiin with a power of invisibility in times of trouble. The disappearances supply the main incidents of the story. The first vanishing scene occurs on the s.s. Jumna, the last in Dr. drove's study, when, as a climax, severe chastisement is about to be administered. The Hindoo reappears, and leaves little Jim Bulkelv-Jones reliant in future upon himself. The story is thoroughly sympathetic, and will be attractive to both boys and girls.

Ballads or Down": Longmans, Green, and Co., 39, Paternoster Row, London.— The poems are by "G.F.S.A." He states that almost all the poems in dialect contained in the volume were written between the years 1892 and 1899. A note on the dialect in which they are worded will be found prefixed to the glossary at the end of the book. The poems are on all sorts of sub—national, historical, and sentimental.

With Bitllkr in Natal: By 0. A. Henty. Blackie and Son (Limited)*, London. —The heroic story of Ladysmith forms the theme of one of the most powerful romances that have come from Mr. Henty's pen. The

_ aa hero, Mr. Chris. King, and his friends ait the sons of British subject', resident in Johannesburg. When the war breaks out they escape to Natal, and there band themselves together under the title of the Maritzburg Scouts. Chris. King is chosen as the leader of the band, which is attached to one of the colonial cavalry regiments, and renders invaluable sen-ice- while acting as ths eyes and ears of the army. They are engaged in every important action, from the battle of Glencoe to the series of operations that culminated in the rescue of Sir George White and his gallant force: and during a lull in the fighting Chris, finds time to make an expedition of his own into the Transvaal. From rirst to last the hoy scouts are constantly engaged in perilous and exciting en. tetprises, from which they always emerge triumphant, thanks to their own skill and courage and the dash and ingenuity of their leader.

Kwato. New Gtinea: This is a little brochure issued in London recently I>\- » n . Rev. C. W. Abel, of the London Missionary Society, labouring in New Guinea, and ft descriptive of Kwato in the period embracing 1890-IPCO. and is printed by ('. K. R 0 berts and Co., 18. Finsbury-street. London, E. C. The work is a brief but irraphic descriptive narrative of work in Kwato. and the interest is greatly heightened by a series of photographic sketches of life in Xew Guinea, portraits of the natives, sketches of th»ir bouses and their social li:'»>. It :s stated that " the proceeds of the sale of th : little book will be devoted to raising a fund for the industrial work of Mr. Abel's district. For this reason he has deal: principally with that aspect of missionary operations, which shows the advantage of. and proves the necessity for, a practical education amongst, such peoples as those whom the missionaries are trying to evangelise in New Guinea."'

A Tragedy of Errors: By Geraidine Hodgson.—This novel, published by Ceorge Allen, is a. most charming story of a very charming girl. It is a study in contrasts. Griselda. the daring and high-spirited daughter of a stern Presbyterian minister, loses her mother, and passes under the dominion of her austere aunt. Miss Vibart. A brief description of the book docs it an injustice, for its value lies in its high literary style and its clever delineation of character. The book lacks plot interest, and its n'nale is somewhat unexpected and disappointing, but in spite of these defects it is well worth reading, and those who once are introduced to poor Griselda will not sown forget her.

Cynthia's Boxxkt Shop: By Rosa >,Tulholland (Lady Gilbert), illustrated. Blackie and Son (Limited), London.—Cynthia, one of three charming sisters of an impoverished Connaught family, desires to imike money for the sake of her delicate mother. If she had only capital she would open a millinery establishment in London. The capital is mysteriously supplied, and the secret of the unknown benefactor is kept to the end. Cynthia and her star-struck sister. Befind, go to London, the former to open the bonnet shop, which becomes a. great success, and the other to pursue the study of astronomy, the absorbing passion of her life. How'both girls find new interests in life, more important even than bonnet shops or star-gazing, is described with mingled humour and pathos in the story.